For-QAA-use

For internal use
Pro forma for responses to draft new subject benchmark statements
Respondents are invited to use this pro forma for submitting their comments on draft new subject benchmark statements. They can be found on QAA’s website at www.qaa.ac.uk/news/consultation/ Please use a separate pro forma for each subject benchmark statement you wish to comment on. Please provide the following information: Name of respondent:
Home institution/organisation:
Position/responsibilities:
Address:
Email:
Please give the name of the new subject benchmark statement upon which you are commenting:
Q1 Overall, does the new subject benchmark statement fulfil its intention in defining the nature of the discipline and the academic standards expected of an undergraduate in the subject area? If it does not, please describe the changes you would see as necessary for the statement to fulfil its intention.
Q2 Does the information in the introductory section(s) successfully describe the nature of the discipline and its defining principles? If it does not, what additional aspects might be included, excluded or elaborated? (for example, is there sufficient indication given to the existence of additional reference points in the subject area such as the requirements of professional, statutory or regulatory bodies, or the existence of European standards?)
Q3 Does the section on subject knowledge and understanding describe successfully the core aspects of an undergraduate education in the subject area? Are there any areas of knowledge not included in the subject benchmark statement that you feel should be or any that you would consider should not be? Please list these as appropriate.
Q4 Does the section relating to subject-specific skills cover adequately and appropriately the skills expected of an undergraduate in the subject area? If it does not, which particular skills should be added or omitted?
Q5 Is the coverage of generic skills expected to be acquired by a graduate in the subject area adequate and appropriate? If it is not, which particular skills should be added or omitted?
Q6 Does the section on teaching, learning and assessment provide the user with an appropriate indication of the types of teaching and assessment relevant to an undergraduate education in the subject area? If it does not, how might this section be improved in terms of the level of detail provided, and the types of teaching and assessment defined?
Q7 Does the standards section successfully articulate what is expected of a graduate in the subject area in terms of a threshold level of attainment? If its does not, what changes would you see as necessary?
Q8 If the standards section includes attainment levels further to that of threshold (typical/excellent), are these successfully articulated in the subject benchmark statement? If they are not, what changes would you see as necessary?
Q9 Is the content and wording of any individual section sufficiently clear to the reader? Are there any sections that would benefit from revision to add to their clarity/interpretation?
Q10 How would you anticipate the subject benchmark statement being used within your home institution/organisation? Do you feel that the subject benchmark statement represents a welcome addition to existing points of reference for used by the subject community in designing, delivering or reviewing programmes?
Q11 Do you feel that the subject benchmark statement is likely to be of use to any other interested parties outside of the academic audience? If so, please state those here.
Q12 Were you aware prior to this consultation that a new subject benchmark statement was being developed in this subject area? Have you been directly involved in the process of its development?
Q13 Please use this space to add any further observations relating to the new subject benchmark statement that are not covered in the questions above.
Thank you for taking the time to comment on the draft new subject benchmark statement. January 2007